Cultivation Starts from Farming

After speaking, Xu Ping abruptly changed the topic, his eyes scanning the battlefield in disarray and the crowd still in shock. With a grave expression, he asked:

"Fellow Daoist Sikong, forgive Xu Mou for being blunt, but what exactly is happening with this Ancient Demon Hall? Why do late-stage Nascent Soul ancients keep appearing, breaking the rules?"

"You ventured deep into this place, so you must... know something of the matter, right?"

Sikong Ziyan heard this, and a complex and hesitant look flashed in his eyes.

He glanced at Xu Ping and then at the other cultivators around who were pricking up their ears. After a moment of pondering, he finally sighed.

Xu Ping’s divine techniques were comparable to those of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator; he would know about this matter sooner or later.

Sikong Ziyan waved his hand to set up a restriction that blocked Divine Sense detection, enveloping both him and Xu Ping.

"Since Fellow Daoist Xu has asked, there’s no harm in telling you about this matter."

Sikong Ziyan’s voice was low, tinged with an unprecedented seriousness, "This matter is of great significance, and I hope that once you know, you will plan accordingly."

Xu Ping focused his gaze, "Please, speak."

Sikong Ziyan slowly said, "According to the core texts of our Yunxiao Sect, this Ancient Demon Hall... is not an ordinary secret realm; its true origin is... an ancient battlefield relic!"

"An ancient battlefield relic!" Xu Ping was startled in his heart.

"Indeed."

Sikong Ziyan nodded, "In ancient times, there was a world-shaking war between this realm and a demon realm plane."

"Several great humans forcibly suppressed and sealed an ancient demon space passage connecting the two realms here."

"This Ancient Demon Hall evolved from the outer confines of that sealed place!"

Even as determined as Xu Ping was, upon hearing this, his heart could not help but be greatly shaken.

An ancient demon space passage?

A place of suppression and sealing?

This truth is almost too shocking!

Sikong Ziyan continued, "Usually, the seal is stable, and the demonic qi that leaks out forms the secret realm of the Ancient Demon Hall, where the power of the ancient demons is limited by the rules, reaching a maximum of mid-stage Nascent Soul, which is also a type of consumption of the dissipating demonic qi."

"But... every long period, the power of the seal will weaken periodically."

"At that time, more powerful ancient demons will pass through the loosening seal."

"It might even attract the attention from the demon realm on the other side, at which point ancient demons may burst out of the Ancient Demon Hall, this is what the texts obscurely refer to as—demonic calamity!"

Sikong Ziyan’s face was extremely grave, "Looking at the current situation... this opening of the Ancient Demon Hall is likely coinciding with the periodic weakening of the seal."

Having listened, Xu Ping was nothing short of being stirred to the depths inside.

No wonder the rules were broken, and late-stage ancient demons frequently appeared.

Those occupying the elderly Hehuan demon are likely no ordinary ancient demon; it might very well be an ancient demon lord coming from the other side of the passage.

After a moment of silence, Xu Ping inquired, "Will there appear Divinity Transformation-level ancient demons?"

"Divinity Transformation level?"

Sikong Ziyan, after pondering for a moment, slowly said, "The probability is not high; space obstacles are significant when sneaking from the Upper Realm to the mortal world, unless the physical body is abandoned to forcibly pass through the passage."

Upon hearing this, a gleam flashed in Xu Ping’s eyes.

This indeed explained the possession incident with the elderly Hehuan demon.

However, should this be told to Sikong Ziyan?

After thinking for a moment, Xu Ping decided to tell the truth.

This would allow the various major forces outside the sea to prepare and also help share his own risk.

So, Xu Ping concealed the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, Puppet Array, and Wood Spirit Avatar, merely stating that he fled in defeat when facing the elderly Hehuan demon.

"There is such a thing?!"

Upon hearing Xu Ping reveal the existence of that possessing elderly Hehuan demon, possibly being an ancient Divinity Transformation-level demon lord, Sikong Ziyan’s face dramatically changed too.

Divinity Transformation, these two words were as heavy as a mountain.

If truly an ancient Divinity Transformation-level demon lord descended through possession, even if its strength hasn’t been restored, the threat it would pose to the entire outer sea Human Race would be no less than a catastrophe.

Its destructive power and influence far exceed several late-stage Nascent Soul ancient demons.

Sikong Ziyan’s face was uncertain, finally suppressing the surging emotions; he solemnly cupped his hands towards Xu Ping and spoke with a heavy tone:

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xu, for notifying us of this matter; this information is invaluable, and I thank you in advance."

However, Xu Ping slightly waved his hand, showing no hint of gloating, instead sharing the same seriousness, "Fellow Daoist Sikong, there’s no need to be polite; this demon’s existence is also a calamity for Xu Mou."

He then changed the topic, his piercing gaze fixed on Sikong Ziyan, "But... what contingency plans do your sect have for this?"

Sikong Ziyan was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing considerations, and eventually spoke in a deep voice:

"This matter is significant beyond what we can handle within the hall; I will immediately use the sect’s secret transmission method to convey the news back to the sect."

"I will ask the sect’s ancestor to make a decision and immediately unite the major top forces of the outer sea to annihilate this demon!"

Sikong Ziyan further explained, "After possession, for that demon lord to regain Divinity Transformation strength is no easy task."

"The resources within the Ancient Demon Hall are limited, and there aren’t enough creatures to devour."

"It will certainly need to leave the Ancient Demon Hall and head to the outside world."

"Then, as soon as it shows its head, gathering the strength of several late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivators from the outer sea, laying an ultimate killer array, and taking it down before it recovers, the chances... are very high!"

Xu Ping listened carefully, nodding slightly.

This statement indeed made sense.

No matter how mighty the demon lord is, it’s now a tiger fallen to the plain.

Given that the outer sea Human Race is prepared, in its unrecovered state, there is indeed a great chance of being struck down with a thundering blow.

"If we can accomplish it in one stroke, that would be the best." Xu Ping’s heart eased a little.

If external strength could resolve this scourge, he would naturally be happy to take it easy, being able to return to Blood Bone Island to absorb the gains of this trip, quietly cultivating and accumulating strength; this is the most prudent approach.